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The trip to Alaska was quite a treat—though some years ago. I rented a plane and flew out to catch the Alaska Railroad train headed south to Anchorage. Flying above the observation cars as the train crossed trestles along the raging Tanana and Nenana rivers, I had the impression I was floating above my own model railway—and it was so realistic (duh?). I met the train at Denali, then flew north toward Tanana and buzzed some caribou on the way. (They were so unfazed I concluded--briefly--that it had to be a large sculpture.) After a bath at Manley Hot Springs, I talked to some of the guys hanging out in the dusty-musty inn next to the grass landing strip. Manley is accessible only three months out of the year.

On a second trip, Susan and I stayed in a cabin at Chena Hot Springs, but had to hit the road by 5 am to stay on schedule. I told her I would return the keys to the lodge, but upon exiting in front of her I saw a HUGE moose standing next to one of the heated pools that blocked my route ... so I casually turned to my wife and said “Let's save time. I'll get the car. You return the keys.” Needless to say, we both drove the half mile to breakfast, and had a good laugh.

Chean Hot Springs before the melt

More on Fairbanks:

Located 370 road miles north of Anchorage near the convergence of the Tanana and Chena Rivers, Fairbanks is Alaska’s second largest city, founded in 1902 when gold was discovered. Land of the “midnight sun”, summer days are long and temperatures sometimes pass 70 degrees. The hub of Alaska’s interior, it’s close to the Arctic region and North Slope oil fields with easy access to the White Mountains National Recreation Area (just north of town), the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Six-million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve with its beautiful wilderness and 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley is a 4-hour leisurely train ride or short 2-hour drive.

Comfortable accommodations in Fairbanks include the River’s Edge Resort, Sophie Station Hotel, Fairbanks Aspen Hotel, Princess Lodge, Best Western Inn, the Denali Bluffs Hotel, and the Grand Denali Lodge. For “healing waters”, try the 100-year-old Chena Hot Springs Resort (60 miles from Fairbanks) and one of the best places to view the “dancing” Northern Lights.

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.

-- Robert Frost (1874-1963)

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Flying above the observation cars as the train crossed trestles along the raging Tanana and Nenana rivers, I had the impression I was floating above my own model railway

Wow!!! You've had some great adventures! I love to fly and can almost visualize your flight over the train. Almost like being there.

I think that's the way to truly experience the grandeur of Alaska, from the air. I wish we had been able to take one of the helicopter or float plane excursions while were we up there but there wasn't time. Ever since I read Michener's description of the gold rush days in "Alaska", I had wanted to visit Skagway, take the train up to the summit and see the path that the prospectors took over the mountain. If I did nothing else, I was determined to to that. Cruise ship itineraries only give passengers enough time to get a little taste of the sights and flavors of a port. But I got enough of a taste of Alaska to know that I want to go back!

White Pass and Yukon Train to the Summit

I've never been to Alaska, but the beauty I've seen in pics is so majestic. Thank you for pics and tales of travels, OESY and MB.

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.

-- Robert Frost (1874-1963)"

This so perfectly describes April weather, even here in southern Cal.

A slideshow along the lines of our chat re God's creatures stirring this Spring: A Butterfly's Lesson
(Click the right arrow at top of screen for next slide...)

Thank you so much for your trip ‘diary’ and the great pictures. I am going to save that post to read again, when it is over 100 here in the high desert!

I had no idea it got over 70 degrees. I lived high in the Rocky Mountains for several years, and it would get -50 minus 50 degrees) every winter, and stay that cold for a couple weeks (night time only). There were only seven to ten days of ‘summer’, when the temperature would go above freezing. LOL!

Thank you for sharing your Alaska trips with us.

I've never been there; you "paint" the most interesting pictures. Thank you again.